HOW TO START YOUR OWN GARDEN BED IN 7 EASY STEPS

Want to learn how to start a garden, but not sure where to begin?

We´ve got you covered! Keep reading and learn how to start your own garden in 7 easy steps.


DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO GROW

Focus on the vegetables, fruits and herbs that your family likes the most, and make sure your top choices make sense for the area you live in.

Talking to successful gardeners in your area to find out which crops grow well and which don’t. would be a great idea too.


CHOOSE A LOCATION

Most fruits and vegetables need at least five hours of direct sunlight every day.

Herbs, root veggies and greens will grow in partial shade. Also you should think about how you will access the garden for picking, watering and caring for your plants.

PLAN YOUR GARDEN BEDS

Once you have already decided where you want your garden to be located, you can start thinking about the type and size of the garden beds.

Raised beds look good and they might seem easier to work with, but you should consider they also dry out more quickly.

Within the garden beds, place plants in rows or a grid pattern, this way you reduce walkways and maximize growing space. You only add fertilizer and soil amendments to the planting area, which saves time and money.

Consider working with companion plants, so you attract beneficial insects and improve yields.

Start small, and make sure to give each plant enough room to grow. Consider that seeds and transplants are tiny, but full grown plants can get huge, and overcrowded plants have a hard time thriving. A small, well-cared for garden can produce as much or more than a large, one.

Rectangular or square beds are the most common, but you’re only limited by your imagination and building skills.If you grow vertically, you can squeeze more crops into less space.

INVEST IN BASIC GARDENING TOOLS

If you use the right tools, working in your garden will be a pleasure and not a chore. Some basic gardening equipment includes garden and scuffle hoe, dirt and leaf rake, garden shovel and hand tools.

But be careful of not buying cheap plastic tools if you can avoid it. It is better to shop yard and estate sales for bargains on real metal tools, or visiting your local garden center.

Also make sure of getting tools that are the right size for you, so you reduce the risk of injury.

TEST AND BUILD YOUR SOIL

Before getting started with building your garden beds, you need to know something about your garden soil.

Some characteristics like acidity, alkalinity and pH may require testing, but many others can be determined just from looking at the soil. Do you have sand, clay, silt, rocks or rocks? Is there a risk of soil contamination from nearby structures, roadways or other sources? Does the soil have a good amount of basic nutrients?

Most plants prefer a deep, well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Plant roots need good garden soil to produce good vegetables and fruit.

Once you start your own garden, you’ll gain a new appreciation for healthy soil and will see how it improves every year.

PICK THE RIGHT SEEDS & TRANSPLANTS

To learn which plants grow best directly seeded in the garden and which plants are better as transplants, you will find many seed starting calendars online. If you want to grow specific varieties, you'll probably need to grow your own transplants from seed; which is a great way to save money, too.

CARE FOR AND NURTURE YOUR GARDEN

This one might sound pretty obvious, but if you're not prepared to make time in your schedule to tend to your plants, you may be better off hitting the farmer's market, or sticking with extremely low maintenance items like sprouts or herbs.

Depending on the size of your plantings, time requirements may range from a few minutes per day to a full time job.
As crops mature, make sure to harvest promptly for best quality. Leafy greens like lettuce are typically “cut and come again”, which means you can clip off the leaves and they will regrow for another harvest.

Are you planning on starting your own garden? What vegetables, fruits or herbs would you like to grow?

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